Doha, October 11 (QNA) - Community College of Qatar (CCQ) has announced the launch of two new programs in Spring 2027: the Associate of Artificial Intelligence and the Associate of Digital Media. This initiative aligns with the college's efforts to keep pace with digital transformation requirements and labor market needs. CCQ plans to admit 108 students in the first cohort, with 48 in Artificial Intelligence and 60 in Digital Media. Classes begin on Jan. 10, 2027.

In a statement issued Sunday, CCQ announced that the Admission and Registration Department will open transfers into the new programs for current CCQ students in other majors starting Oct. 18, 2026, while registration for new applicants opens on Nov. 1, 2026, in line with CCQ's approved admission requirements and procedures.

The Associate of Artificial Intelligence, offered by the Information Technology Department in CCQ's Science and Technology Division, is the first associate degree in this field in Qatar. The two-year, 60-credit-hour program combines academic study with hands-on practice in areas including machine learning, data analysis, data structures, computer vision, and AI ethics, where students train in labs with advanced GPU-based computing equipment, supported by recommendations from global and local technology companies, including Google Cloud, Huawei, Microsoft, and Cisco, offering the possibility of transferring up to 54 credit hours to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Qatar University (QU), in line with approved academic pathways and requirements.

In this regard, Dean of the Science and Technology Division Dr. Abdullah Al Ghushami said, "This program responds to the need for professionals with practical skills in artificial intelligence and related technologies," adding that CCQ surveys showed strong interest in the field. In the surveys, 68% of students said they wanted to enroll in the program. In addition, 95% of employers and officials surveyed said their organizations have specialized units or departments that need graduates of this program, such as the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior, the National Cyber Security Agency, and QatarEnergy.

CCQ is also launching the Associate of Digital Media, a two-year program offered by the Literature Department in the Liberal Arts Division, which runs under the slogan "Today's Field, Tomorrow's Opportunities in Qatar." The curriculum covers digital writing, podcast production, web documentaries, data journalism, multimedia production.

Dean of the Liberal Arts Division Dr. Al Jazi Al Athba affirmed that the program integrates modern technologies while underscoring professional responsibility and national identity, thereby preparing graduates for careers in media organizations, government sectors, and telecommunications and marketing companies.

The launch of these two programs aligns with the inclusion of these disciplines among the priority areas in the scholarship plan and the government’s guide to targeted specializations, against the backdrop of projections that Qatar’s artificial intelligence market will grow to $1.94 billion by 2030. (QNA)